If you're planning to travel to the United States for business purposes, you'll need to obtain a business visa. But with so many different types of business visas available, it can be confusing to know which one is right for you.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the various types of business visas available in the USA, including their requirements and restrictions.
B-1 Business Visitor Visa
The B-1 business visitor visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows individuals to enter the US temporarily for business purposes. This visa is designed for those who are coming to the US for activities such as negotiating contracts, attending business meetings or engaging in short-term training. It is not intended for individuals who will be engaging in employment or receiving a salary from a US company.
To be eligible for a B visa, you must be able to prove that you are coming to the US temporarily and that you have residence and business ties outside of the US. You must also be able to show that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses while in the US and that you have a clear intent to return to your home country after your visit.
E-1 Trader Visa
The E-1 trader visa allows citizens of countries with a treaty of commerce and navigation with the US to enter the country temporarily to carry on trade between the US and their home country. To be eligible for an E-1 visa, you must be visiting the US to participate in substantial trade, such as exchanging, purchasing, or selling services, goods, or technology.
To qualify for an E-1 visa, you must be a citizen of a treaty country, have a job offer or business in your home country, and have a business relationship with a US company. You must also be able to show that you are coming to the US solely to engage in trade and that you have a clear intent to return to your home country after your visit.
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
The E-2 treaty investor visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows individuals who are citizens of countries that have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the US to enter the country temporarily to direct or develop in operations in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital. To be eligible for an E-2 visa, you must be visiting the US to invest a lot of capital in a new or existing business.
To qualify for an E-2 visa, you must be a citizen of a treaty country, have a job offer or business in your home country, and have invested a substantial amount of capital in a US business. You must also be able to show that you are coming to the US solely to develop and direct your business operations and that you have a clear intent to return to your home country after your visit.
L-1 Intra-Company Transfer Visa
The L-1 intra-company transfer visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows employees of an international company to transfer to a US branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of the same company. To be eligible for an L-1 visa, you must have been employed with the company for at least one year in the three years prior to your transfer, and you must be visiting the US to work in a specialized, executive, or managerial knowledge capacity.
To qualify for an L-1 visa, you must be able to show that you are transferring to a US company that is related to your current employer and that you have the necessary skills and experience to perform your job duties. You must also be able to demonstrate that you have a clear intent to return to your home country after your stay in the US.
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
The H-1B specialty occupation visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows individuals to work in the US in a specialty occupation that requires a high level of expertise. Specialty occupations can include fields such as science, engineering, computer programming, and other technical fields. To be eligible for an H-1B visa, you must have a job offer from a US employer and must possess the necessary education and experience to perform the duties of the job.
To qualify for an H-1B visa, you must have a bachelor's degree or higher in a field related to the job or the equivalent in work experience. You must also be able to show that you have a clear intent to return to your home country after your stay in the US.
Once you select a visa type, you can visit VisaHQ and apply for travel authorization online. You may have to schedule a visa interview with the embassy as well!